Simply Inspired ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon has fallen in love! Oh, with a photo ... of an Indian bridal sari. Check out the fabulous colors, the texture, the shimmer of the fabric, the beading, and the patterns. WoW, this really is stunning, no?!?

So, today's challenge is to use this photo for your inspiration and just run with it ... take what speaks to you from this photo and show us your fab creations! Be sure to share with us what spoke to you from this gorgeous photo:

Omigosh, where to begin with this beautiful image?!?

I was inspired by the rich, luxe colors of this fabulous sari and the amazing textures. So, with color and texture in mind, I chose faux textured designer papers from Cosmo Cricket's "Souvenir" collection and created a fall-themed card:

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a card or other paper project using the photo of the Bridal Wedding Sari for your inspiration. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime158" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously colorful projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Our Fearless Leader, Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Janine Orchard: 2 B Krafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and, our amazing Guest Designer for September,

Chrissie Stokes: Simply One of a Kind.

If you'd like, you can see all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions, HERE.

We can't wait to see your Bridal Sari Inspired project!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Patterned Papers from the "Souvenir" Collection by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamp: Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Old Paper" Distress Ink by Ranger
  
• Accessories: Antique Copper Index Frame and Brads from Antique Copper 'Hodgepodge Hardware' Collection by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Leaf Die by Spellbinders; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Side-Folded)
  

Have a Witchy Halloween ...

Happy Stump Day, hampers ... hope you're enjoying a fabulous Wednesday!

Since I'm currently trying to earn a l'il money, as opposed to just spendin' it, I'm still making ... and selling ... altered paper bag albums. Since I've been a l'il lax in the card-making department of late, I thought I'd share my latest album with you.

That big, brown thing in the top photo is the front cover. And,

this ^ spread is pages two and three. Check out the bottled "Swamp Fog" ... carefully collected for you from the greatest of all living swamps, the Florida Everglades. I've also bottled up some "Bat Skeletons" and a goodly collection of nicely-yellowed "Vampire Fangs" ... just for you. And that's a real, working monocle you see on the left ... tucked in with those original prescriptions from the 1930's.

Have you noticed that I have a pile of the weirdest. things. ever?!? Moving onward,

this ^ spread is pages four and five; and,

this ^ spread is pages six and seven ... notice the v-e-r-y old (1920's) photos of authentic, haunted houses. No, really! Would I kid you?!? Which brings us to

this ^ spread ... pages eight and nine; and, finally

this ^ spread ... pages ten and eleven. Check out that rare photo, circa 1918, capturing the images of members of one of the largest Covens of Witches in Boston. True story!

This was such a fun album to create ... for one of my most favorite holidays! Hope you enjoyed looking at my photos. And if you're a true glutton for punishment, you can click on the photos for the ginormous view.

This album is currently up for auction on eBay, so if you're interested in seeing tons more photos of this album ... including lots of detail shots ... and a close-up of that precious commodity, Swamp Fog, clicky HERE. Honestly, it's worth the trip just to see my super-cool Halloween auction template. TIP: When you get to my auction, mouse-over the header photo. And turn your speakers on ... isn't that super-spooooooky!?!

Since I really love this album, I won't be too sorry if it doesn't sell. BUT, if it does sell, I'd rather see this go live with you. So, if you're interested in purchasing this OOAK, altered art Halloween album chock full of original, vintage ephemera, simply contact me directly. And despite what my eBay listing says, I will ship internationally. The only caveat is you'll need to make arrangements through me. You can shoot me an email by clicking HERE.

I'll be back on Friday with yet another exciting Stamp Simply challenge ... 'til then, stay safe and keep smiling!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me!

~Hugs,

Cracked But Not Broken ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, the fabulous Deb Saaranen is in the driver's seat and Deb's challenge is to create a card or other paper project using the "Cracked Glass" technique. This technique works particularly well on vintage or wintry creations, but feel free to use it in any way that strikes your fancy.

If you've never done the technique ... or need a quick refresher, click HERE for a terrific tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. If you prefer, there's also a video tutorial available on the very same page.

I stamped my vintage image on a spectrum-style paint sample card:

My card contains all of the requisite "vintage" elements: an image of a vintage child, the color brown, something that dangles, the color brown, a collage image, the color brown, walnut ink stained fabric, the color brown, and grungy/antiqued/brown patterned paper over-stamped with text using second-generation brown Distress ink.

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a card or other paper project using the Cracked Glass technique. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime157" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously cracked projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon Johnson, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Janine Orchard: 2 B Krafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover. (Barb is not feeling well and is sitting out this week ... feel better, Barb!); and our fabulous Guest Designer for September,

Chrissie Stokes: Simply One of a Kind.

If you'd like, you can see all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions, HERE.

We can't wait to see your amazing "Cracked Glass" project!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,



Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock (Brown) by Stampin' Up!
• Designer Paper: "Antique Light" (Brown) by Pebbles 'Real Life'
• Other Paper: Gradient Paint Sample Card
• Stamps: Collage Style Tag Stamp by Tuscan Rose; Vintage Girl Stamp, Unknown (Unmounted); "Definition" BG Stamp by Stampin' Up!
  
• Ink: Versamark Watermark/Embossing Ink; "Timber Brown" Solvent Ink by Tsukineko; "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink by Ranger; "Soft Suede" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!
• Accessories: Melt Art "Clear" UTEE; Vintage Seam Binding Tape; Double-Ended Swivel; Walnut Ink Stained Seam Binding Tape
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Labels Die by Spellbinders; Corner Chomper by WRMK'ers; 1/16" Circle Punch; Small Tag Punch; Heat Gun; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Boo to You, Too ...

Happy Stump Day, hampers! Hope you're having a fabulous day!

So, I'm still paper bag album-making and I thought I'd share my latest album with you. This is a "waterfall" album and consists of just two brown paper bags.

The first photo ^ is the cover and a look at the "falls."

This ^ spread is pages two and three;

This ^ spread is pages four and five; and,

This ^ spread is pages six and seven. The end.

If you'd like, you can clicky on the photos for a larger photo.

This album is currently up for auction on eBay. If you're interested in seeing tons more photos and my not-to-be-missed-uber-kewl Halloween auction template, clicky HERE. TIP: When you get to my auction, mouse-over the header photo. And turn your speakers on .... super-spooooooky!

I'd love to see this album go home with one of my bloggin' friends, so if you're interested in purchasing this baby, please contact me directly. And despite what my eBay listing says, I will ship internationally, but you must make purchase arrangements through me. You can shoot me an email by clicking HERE.

I'll be back again soon ... life, the never-ending-case-of-pneumonia-complicated-by-seasonal-allergies-further-complicated-by-a-possible-mold-problem, and maybe a move ... is keepin' me hoppin'. Rhetorically speakin' ...

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me!

~Hugs,

Simply Masculine ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon has challenged us to create The. Dreaded. Man. Card. This week, let's come up with some great 'guy-cards' ... for any reason: birthday, thank you, get well, thinking of you, etc. Just make a card that is more suited to sending to the guys in our lives. Uh, oh, one teensy-tiny stipulation: NO BOWS! You may use ribbon or string ... but only in a "manly" fashion.

Here's my take on a bow-free, stringy masculine card:

You might not be able to tell from my photo, but I stamped my beloved fern background stamp using watermark ink, then embossed with 'Topiary' embossing powder.

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a masculine card following the ribbon-or-string-but-no-bows guidelines. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime156" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously manly projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon, Our Fearless Leader: No Time To Stamp?;

AJ: The Willow Garden;

Barb: Explore. Dream. Discover.;

Barbara: Paper Pursuits;

Deb: Dream in Color;

Janine: 2BKrafty; and,

Jenny: One Krafty Kat.

We can't wait to see your manly creations!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up!
• Stamps: Fern Background Stamp by Peddler's Pack; Sentiment from "Sincere Salutations" Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink for Embossing; Sentiment Stamped with "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!
• Accessories: Hemp Jewelry Cord by Elements; 'Topiary' Embossing Powder by Stamp-N-Stuff
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Oval Die by Spellbinders; Heat Gun; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Side-Folded)
  

Now, Something Completely Different ...

Happy Stump Day, hampers ... hope your Wednesday is fabulous!

Today's paper project is a vintage-inspired, paper bag album I currently have up for auction on eBay. You can clicky HERE to see additional photos and information on all the original, vintage ephemera packed inside this album. Some of these items date back to 1895 ... hope I look this good at 115!

If you're interested in purchasing this baby, please contact me directly ... despite what my eBay listing says, I will ship internationally, but you must make arrangements through me. You can shoot me an email by clicking HERE.

Here's a few shots of the interior of the album:

Pages 2 and three ^ ...


Pages 4 and 5 ^ ...


Pages 6 and 7 ^ ...


Pages 8 and 9 ^ ...


Pages 10 and 11. The end. Well, not really ... there's stuff on the back cover ... but I didn't post those photos here.

For the ginormous view, clicky on the photo and a new window will open with a much larger size photo.

I've been feeling a l'il bit better, but I wake up just exhausted. So, I'm basically sick and tired! I hope to be back to full-time blogging soon ... and I will get to your blog and leave some love as soon as possible. Promise!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... and for checkin' out my p.b. album! Stay well and keep smilin'!

~Hugs,

Simply Leaves ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon has challenged us to incorporate leaves into our projects -- any types of leaves, any type of card or project. Let's see some beautiful "Falling Leaves" this week as we transition info fall mode!

Here's my leafy card:

You can't tell from the photo, but I stamped my images using 'Walnut Ink' Distress ink, then clear embossed both the leaf and the sentiment.

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a paper project using the Falling Leaves theme. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime155" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously leafy projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

AJ: The Willow Garden;

Barb: Explore. Dream. Discover;

Barbara: Paper Pursuits;

Deb: Dream in Color;

Janine: 2 B Krafty; and,

Jenny: One Krafty Kat.

If you'd like, you can view all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions, HERE.

We can't wait to see your leafy creations!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


I'm Entering This Card in These Challenges:

• ABC Challenge: 'C' is for Charms
• A Crafty Little Place: Anything Goes
• Allsorts: Garden or Park Inspiration
  
• Artful Inkables: Think Ink (Distress Inks)
  
• Belli Challenge: Old Stamps ("Autumn" Stamp Set, 2000)
• C.E.S. Challenges: Anything Goes
• Corrosive Challenge: For the Guys
  
• Digi Doodle: Write Me a Message
• Divine Diva: Inspiration
• Etsy Inspired: 'Caged Fairy' (Inspired by THIS)
  
• Papertake Weekly: Just the One (1 DP/1 Word/1 Leaf/1 Ribbon)
• Pollycraft Monday: Add a Little Nature
• Sentimental Sundays: Clean and Simple
  
• Stampin' B's: Use a Charm
• Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Metal (Metal Leaf Charms)
• Stamping Vacation: Fountain of Youth (Leaf)
  
• The Paper Players: Anything Goes
  
• The Shabby Tea Room: (Old=Stamp Set / New=Ribbon)
  
• The Three Muses: Back to Nature
• Wee Memories: In the Forest
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up!
• Designer Paper: BasicGrey
  
• Stamps: All Stamps from the "Autumn" Stamp Set (Retired), by Stampin' Up!
• Ink: "Antique Linen" and "Walnut Stain" Distress Inks by Ranger
• Accessories: Metal Leaf Charms; Grosgrain Ribbon; Thread; Clear Embossing Powder
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Ink Tool; Heat Gun; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)